Author Topic: Norge: Part Two  (Read 6860 times)

Offline JeffOlson

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Norge: Part Two
« on: November 28, 2015, 11:13:24 AM »
I can't seem to stay away. Despite having placed a deposit on a new Thruxton R, I am about to buy my second Norge! Am I nuts or what?

I even like the new V9 Roamer and had thoughts of getting that instead of the Thruxton R, but Moto Guzzi is almost giving the Norges away. A new V9 Roamer would probably cost more than a new left-over Norge, and the Thruxton R definitely would cost more. Even a V7 II Racer costs as much a new left-over Norge...

It seems to me that these left-over Norges are a heck of a bargain and have far more utility (and spouse-carrying ability!) than a V9, V7, or Thruxton R (as I snap my suspenders).

It is a white 2014 Norge, exactly like my last one (only without the damage from being rear-ended). I am going to pick it up shortly...
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Offline MLR

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2015, 11:36:53 AM »
Makes sense to me, the Norge is hard to beat in versatility, looks, & fun factor.

Offline Cool Runnings

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2015, 12:28:45 PM »
I can't seem to stay away. Despite having placed a deposit on a new Thruxton R, I am about to buy my second Norge! Am I nuts or what?

I even like the new V9 Roamer and had thoughts of getting that instead of the Thruxton R, but Moto Guzzi is almost giving the Norges away. A new V9 Roamer would probably cost more than a new left-over Norge, and the Thruxton R definitely would cost more. Even a V7 II Racer costs as much a new left-over Norge...

It seems to me that these left-over Norges are a heck of a bargain and have far more utility (and spouse-carrying ability!) than a V9, V7, or Thruxton R (as I snap my suspenders).

It is a white 2014 Norge, exactly like my last one (only without the damage from being rear-ended). I am going to pick it up shortly...

Picked up the same bike about three weeks ago, new 12k and they took the old Royal Star with 50,000 miles for trade (3k).

Offline JeffOlson

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2015, 12:32:00 PM »
Picked up the same bike about three weeks ago, new 12k and they took the old Royal Star with 50,000 miles for trade (3k).

Nice!
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Offline Waltr

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2015, 01:04:43 PM »
I can buy any Guzzi I want at a substantial discount.  The Norge stays.  I wish it had cruise for the long highway trips and a little more forward peg position. I have addressed the other stuff with Matris suspension and a heated Corbin that I love.  I plan on adding the Stelvio hand guards.

Now if if there is a full blown Guzzi touring bike with fairing and lowers I may have to think again.
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Offline Cool Runnings

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2015, 01:19:51 PM »
I can buy any Guzzi I want at a substantial discount.  The Norge stays.  I wish it had cruise for the long highway trips and a little more forward peg position. I have addressed the other stuff with Matris suspension and a heated Corbin that I love.  I plan on adding the Stelvio hand guards.

Now if if there is a full blown Guzzi touring bike with fairing and lowers I may have to think again.

Russell is building a seat for me, should be done next week.

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2015, 02:06:59 PM »
Well, congrats, Jeff, there is something about the Norge that just sucks you in. Being biased of course, the Norge is the best MG to leave the factory. It has a timeless design that ten years from now will look current.

Offline Cool Runnings

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2015, 04:55:11 PM »
Well, congrats, Jeff, there is something about the Norge that just sucks you in. Being biased of course, the Norge is the best MG to leave the factory. It has a timeless design that ten years from now will look current.

Like a 1991 Lamborghini Diablo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyAUxLFR04Q

Offline JeffOlson

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2015, 07:34:22 PM »
Thanks, everyone!

I had a great ride from Seattle to Olympia, and the Norge ran so sweetly! It was like coming home.

Also, the temperature dropped from 42 degrees to 37. The heated handgrips were nice, and my British Motorcycle Gear jacket and pants kept me warm. I think these bikes like cool temperatures!
« Last Edit: November 28, 2015, 07:38:43 PM by JeffOlson »
2018 Vespa GTS 300
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Offline kingoffleece

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2015, 08:23:54 PM »
I love my 14 Norge.
Let me know if you  need a seat cover for your Corbin.  They don't like the rain.
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Offline Nic in Western NYS

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2015, 08:49:55 PM »
Congratulations!  Not surprising that you're back on a Norge.  You seemed to love your last one.
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Offline ohiorider

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #11 on: November 29, 2015, 01:18:30 PM »
I can buy any Guzzi I want at a substantial discount.  The Norge stays.  I wish it had cruise for the long highway trips and a little more forward peg position. I have addressed the other stuff with Matris suspension and a heated Corbin that I love.  I plan on adding the Stelvio hand guards.

Now if if there is a full blown Guzzi touring bike with fairing and lowers I may have to think again.
Waltr,

Here's a pic of my now-departed Griso with a set of adjustable foot pegs from Twisted Throttle.  Each side comes in 3 pieces.  The mounting component that attaches to the bike via clevis pin, the 30mm extension that can be rotated to 6-8 positions (don't recall exactly how many,) and the footpeg itself.  As shown in the pic, I mounted mine in a forward/slightly lower position.



I also use similar setup on the 1200 Sport, with slightly shorter (23mm) extensions, mounted in the same forward/lower position.

30 mm isn't much, but it made a lot of difference on the Griso.  I should have kept them and used them on the Sport, but since they were already in the eBay pics, they stayed with the bike.

I bought the 23mm setup from Zoom Zoom several years ago, and liked them so well I automatically purchased a set for the Griso.

A 50mm extension is available, but is too long (for me)  Twisted Throttle advised against the 50mm, but I thought I'd try it anyway.  They were right, I was wrong!
Main ride:  2008 Guzzi 1200 Sport (sold July 2020)
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Offline Cool Runnings

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #12 on: November 29, 2015, 01:31:54 PM »
Waltr,

Here's a pic of my now-departed Griso with a set of adjustable foot pegs from Twisted Throttle.  Each side comes in 3 pieces.  The mounting component that attaches to the bike via clevis pin, the 30mm extension that can be rotated to 6-8 positions (don't recall exactly how many,) and the footpeg itself.  As shown in the pic, I mounted mine in a forward/slightly lower position.



I also use similar setup on the 1200 Sport, with slightly shorter (23mm) extensions, mounted in the same forward/lower position.

30 mm isn't much, but it made a lot of difference on the Griso.  I should have kept them and used them on the Sport, but since they were already in the eBay pics, they stayed with the bike.

I bought the 23mm setup from Zoom Zoom several years ago, and liked them so well I automatically purchased a set for the Griso.

A 50mm extension is available, but is too long (for me)  Twisted Throttle advised against the 50mm, but I thought I'd try it anyway.  They were right, I was wrong!

Thanks for the info ohiorider, gonna see how the Russell works, may do the peg install like what you have. Will know what's what in the spring.

Offline JeffOlson

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #13 on: November 29, 2015, 05:36:30 PM »
Here she is, enjoying a brisk afternoon at our cabin:

2018 Vespa GTS 300
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Offline BRIO

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #14 on: November 30, 2015, 08:24:20 AM »
What a beauty

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #15 on: November 30, 2015, 10:38:55 AM »
I see they added tank panel stickers and striping in 14. Any other cosmetic changes?

Offline kingoffleece

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #16 on: November 30, 2015, 11:05:39 AM »
I can also make a cover for Russell seats.  They don't like rain either.
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Offline JeffOlson

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #17 on: November 30, 2015, 12:44:49 PM »
I see they added tank panel stickers and striping in 14. Any other cosmetic changes?

I don't think so. I think is identical to earlier 2nd generation Norges, except perhaps the CARC (which is black in 2014).
2018 Vespa GTS 300
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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #18 on: November 30, 2015, 12:50:11 PM »
I don't think so. I think is identical to earlier 2nd generation Norges, except perhaps the CARC (which is black in 2014).

Hmmm, you know why they did that, harder to see any weeping from the seals. :evil:

Offline steveford

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #19 on: November 30, 2015, 01:20:21 PM »
Did you get it in Portland or Seattle???  :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :grin: :grin: :grin: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Offline JeffOlson

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #20 on: November 30, 2015, 11:53:21 PM »
Did you get it in Portland or Seattle???  :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :grin: :grin: :grin: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Seattle. Rick in Portland has a new black 2013 Norge that looks really good and a white 2014 demo Norge. I wanted new, and I wanted white--for safety reasons and because I think white looks better than black on the Norge (and on the California 1400 Touring!).

Dave in Seattle had a new white 2014 Norge just out of the crate. I was nearly there already on Friday (in Olympia), and my wife said "go ahead." So, I had one of my boys bring my gear up from Hubbard Friday night and another of my boys drive me up to Seattle Saturday morning. (My life was working on our bunkhouse.) The rest is history!

The ride from Seattle to Olympia was cold but exhilarating. Again, it felt like coming home!
2018 Vespa GTS 300
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Offline Cool Runnings

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #21 on: December 01, 2015, 08:12:44 AM »
Do your legs feel cramped on the Norge?

Offline JeffOlson

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #22 on: December 01, 2015, 09:40:10 AM »
Do your legs feel cramped on the Norge?

Yes, but I knew they would, having owned a Norge previously.

On shorter rides, it is not a problem at all. It is only a problem on longer rides.

On longer stretches, I extend my legs forward and down, so my feet are just inches above the pavement. This gives my hips and knees some relief. I also stand up now and then. However, if I am going to take a particularly long ride, I will install some Knight Designs lowering foot pegs and toe pegs.

The ideal fix would be crash bars with highway pegs, but there are no crash bars that I know of for the second-gen Norge.
2018 Vespa GTS 300
2016 Moto Guzzi Norge
2015 Vespa Sprint 150
2015 Vespa GTS 300

Offline Cool Runnings

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #23 on: December 01, 2015, 09:50:16 AM »
Yes, but I knew they would, having owned a Norge previously.

On shorter rides, it is not a problem at all. It is only a problem on longer rides.

On longer stretches, I extend my legs forward and down, so my feet are just inches above the pavement. This gives my hips and knees some relief. I also stand up now and then. However, if I am going to take a particularly long ride, I will install some Knight Designs lowering foot pegs and toe pegs.

The ideal fix would be crash bars with highway pegs, but there are no crash bars that I know of for the second-gen Norge.

Check out Russell day-long motorcycle seats.

Offline JeffOlson

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Re: Norge: Part Two
« Reply #24 on: December 01, 2015, 10:15:32 AM »
Check out Russell day-long motorcycle seats.

Ah, there's the rub. I am only 5' 10" tall (in the morning, on a good day). I cannot flat-foot the Norge as it is. I would hate to have a higher seat, especially with my wife on the back. Lower pegs are the only way to go for me (or crash bars with highway pegs, if anyone makes them).
2018 Vespa GTS 300
2016 Moto Guzzi Norge
2015 Vespa Sprint 150
2015 Vespa GTS 300

 


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